News

Who Was The Female Suspect?

by Melissah Yang

Update: On Wednesday, Dec. 2, a shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California left 14 people dead and 21 wounded. Hours after the attack, police pursued information that led to a chase of a dark SUV, which was later determined to be a rental car. A shootout between police and the suspects left both suspects dead. They were identified as Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik, who were husband and wife.

According to SBPD Chief Jarrod Burguan, the four guns used in the shooting were purchased legally. The suspects were found to have 1,600 rounds of ammunition with them, and at a home they were renting in Redlands, California, law enforcement officers found 4,500 rounds of ammunition and 12 pipe bombs. No official motive has been confirmed, though a source told The Los Angeles Times that investigators are considering that it might be terrorism or workplace-related.

Earlier: A mass shooting at Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California left at least 14 people dead and another 17 injured on Wednesday. Two suspects — one male, one female — were killed after a car chase and gunfight with police in nearby Redlands. Later in the evening, authorities confirmed that the woman was 27-year-old Tashfeen Malik. Police Chief Jarrod Burguan also confirmed earlier reports that 28-year-old Syed Rizwan Farook was the man.

According to authorities, Malik and Farook were in some kind of relationship, though it was unclear whether they were married, engaged, or dating. The Los Angeles Times reports that Farook's co-workers said he had recently traveled to Saudi Arabia and returned with a wife whom he met online. According to Burguan, police were "pretty comfortable" with saying that the pair were the only people involved in the attack.

Farook, who reportedly worked as an environmental specialist for the county's public health department, was at the community care center for a holiday party prior to the shooting, but left "under some circumstances that were described as angry," Burguan said. At around 11 a.m., shooters dressed in "assault-style clothing" with assault rifles and handguns attacked. Burguan said that it was clear this was premeditated.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.